Poultry feeding apparatus



April 1952 P. a ROBERTS ETAL A 2,591,609

POULTRY FEEDING APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1950 4 Sheets-SAeet 2 o if a; 0 l ii //4 E: H r: 1

o i: ll 0 o I E INVENTORS PHIL/P B. ROBERTS THOMAS E. BUTTON By mg -mmv ATTORNEY April 1952 P. a. ROBERTS ETAL 2,591,609

POULTRY FEEDING APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVIENTOPS PHIL/P a. ROBERTS Zi THOMAS E. BUTTON ATTORNEY P. a. ROBERTS ETAL 2,591,609

A yil 1, 1952 POULTRY FEEDING APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG/.9

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23 PHIL/P B. ROBERTS THOMAS E. BUTTON ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 1, 1952 POULTRY FEEDING APPARATUS Philip Bi-Rbberts and Thomas B. Button, Durham, Conn.

Application'June I9, 1950, Serial No. 168,916

I 24 Glaims.

The invention relates toa poultry feeding ap paratus of the type 'wherein an endless chain moves feed-from a feed'supplying means into and along one or more feeding troughs so asto'be available to poultry in'suitable pens.

One of 'theobjects of the invention is to "pro vide-means at a suitable position along-the'path of chain movement and beyond the feeding trough or troughs for enabling residual feed still engaged by the chain to beseparated by gravity from the chain and-then returned to another portion of the chain for movement thereby: Ad'- va-ntageously theresi'dual feed separatedfrom the chain and returned to another portion thereof may be carried by the'last said portion of the chain into the feed supplying means where additional feed is supplied before the chain again moves into and along the feedingtrouglr'or troughs.

A' further object of the-invention isto providemeans, which may be used when desired, for entirely separating the above mentioned residual feed from-the chain so that it is not-carried into the feed supplying means to'becommingled with other feed.

A further'object 'of the invention is to pro-- vide meabns for separatihg debrisf'rom the chain so that it cannot be carried'thereby in-tothe feed supplying means and recireula'te'd along-- the l feeding troughs.

A still further: object of the' invention-:15 to- A-still furth'er object of the invention is to provide apoultryfeeding apparatus :having improved means--for drivi-ngra chain of the type above-described, 7

A still further object of the invention is to provide a poultry feeding apparatus of the type described having improved means for supplying fed tothe chain.

Still other objects of the invention will" be apparent f-fom thedrawings and'from the r011ow-- ing description and maims.

ln thedra'win'gs wehaveshown in detail a: prefrre'd embodimfit f" the invention; but it will be" understood that various changes may be' made from the construction shown, and 'th'at the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of theinvention ,-theclaims forming. apart of this specification being 'relied upon for that purpose.

Of the'drawingsz' Fig. 1 is a'schematic plan view showing a poul try house with a poultry feeding apparatus em bodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the poultryfeeding apparatus, the cover plates for two of. the corner units being omitted.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus.-

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of one of the-feedingtrough's 'and showing one of the adjustable troughsupporting means, thefeed. carrying chain being omitted;

Fig. 5' is an enlarged plan view'ofa portion of" the feed carrying chain, this view showing the chain flexed edgewi'se- Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of-"on'eof' the-- corner units with a portion of the cover plate broken away.

Fig. 7 is a right side view of the cornenunit showni'in Fig. 6.-

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front view-of the-corner unit as shown in Fig.- 6, the connected' tro'ugn being'shown in vertical section.

Fig; 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional 'view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Fig-10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line Iii-I0 of Fig. 6 with a po'r tion of the trough broken and shown in vertical section.

Fig. llis an enlargedvertical view takenalong the'line lI-H of Fig; 2 and showing'a'portion" of one of the partitions of the poultry house and" showing'the'partsat the position where'one-of i the troughs-extends through the partition.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken along-- the'li'ne I 2-| 2- of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13' is an enlarged front view-of the-chain" drive unit and of immediately associated parts:

Fig. 14 is a transverse vertical-sectional view taken along the line 14-44 of Fig. 13", the motor" being omitted.

Fig. 15- is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line l5"l5?of" poultry feeding Fig; 13.

Figs 16 is afragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line Hi -l 8 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a detail viewof the-deflector device associated with the drive unit.

guidethe transversely horizontal chain in a lateral pathifrom the forward nd of the trough 26 to the rearward endof'the trough 28. The units 36 and 38 :serveto. flex the chain edgewise and the said units-in cooperation with other parts to -be described: serve to guide the transversely horizontal chain. in a'lateral path from the forward end of the. trough 28 to the rearward end of the trough 26.

The corner guide units 32, 34, 36 and 33 may be varied as to details of construction, but the said four units are preferably identical in construction, except for-additional parts provided for the unit 36;: The unit-34 isshown in Figs. 6 to and will be described'in detailt Each corner unit comprises a main horizontal supporting plate 66 which is shown as square. Suitably secured to the plate 60 and projecting upwardly therefromis a vertical bearingstud 62. Rotatablymounted-onthe stud 62 is a wheel 64 fcn engaging the inner edge of the chain 46 to guide and' flex the chain edgewise in an arcuate path extending through approximately 90. The

\ periphery of the wheel conforms to-the aforesaid-9.1 062.- The wheel 64 has an outwardly pro jectingannular flange 66 at the top which flange overlies the inner edge portion of the chain.

Secured to the plate 66 by welding or otherwise is averti'cal plate 68 which is curved to approximately conform to the path of the outer edge of the chain 46." Similarly secured to the plate 60 are vertical plates "I0 and 12 which are adjacent the path of 'theinner edge of the chain. Also secured to the plate 66 is a vertical plate I4 which conforms to the periphery of the Wheel 64 and is connectedat its ends-with the vertical plates I0 and 12-. TheplatesBB, I0 and I2 cooperate with the guide wheel 64 to prevent the escape of feed fromtheychain at the edges thereof, the said plates thus serving to hold the feed in engagement withthe chain.

Attherearward side of the corner unit the walls 68 and'10 are bent to provide a notch having diverging; vertical walls I6 and 18 adapted to receive a special trough section 80 forming a part of'tlie trough and having diverging flanges 82, 82' at its end Which-are between the walls I6 and 18'.- The end ofthe bottom wall of the trough section 80' rests upon the plate 60. Th walls 16 andI8 are spaced apart'to a greater extent than the flanges 82, 82 so that the trough section 80-is =transVerse1y adjustable to a limited extent. At-.-the-'forward side of the corner unit, the walls and 12, are bent to provide a notch having diverging vertical walls 84- and 86 adapted to receive a special trough section 88 similar to the trough section 80 and forming a part of the trough 28. The trough section 88 has diverging flanges 90-, '-90-at its end which are between the walls 84 and 66; The end of the bottom wall of the trough sectionBB rests upon: the plate 60. The walls 84 and 86 are spaced apart to a greater'extent than the flanges 90, 90 so that the trough section 88 istransverselyadjustable to a limited extent.

Preferably, an arcuate horizontal plate 92 is provided which is secured to the plate 66 and which is shaped to conform to the periphery of thewheel 64 and to the curvature of the vertical plate 68; The plate 92 supports the chain and prevents it from tilting downwardly below a transverselyhorizontal position. The upper face of the plate 92-. is at the same level as the upper faces-of the'bottom walls of the trough sections 80 and 88, the chain thus being supported at a uniform level as it passes through the-corner" unit and aroundthe guide wheel 64.

As has been stated, the chain 46 is under: ten.- sionand when itis flexed edgewise to passaround the guide wheel 64,-there is a tendency for it to tiltupwardly out 'of its transversely horizontal position. To prevent any such tilting of the chain, auxiliary guide wheels-94 and 96 are provided. The guide wheel 94is near the rearward side' ofthe unit and is approximately midway between the edges of the chain. The said wheel 94 'has a hollow hub 95 which is-rotata'ble on a horizontal bearin pin extendingthrough-suitable apertures in thevertical walls 68 and I0. The guide wheel 96 is located approximately midway of the arc of engagement of'the-cha'in with the main guide wheel 64 and it is nearthe outer edge of the chain; The said wheel '96-is rotatably supported on a horizontal bearing stud 97 secured to the vertical wall 68.

A cover plate 68 is provided, aportion'of this cover plate being shown in Fig. 6 and complete cover plates beingshown on the units 32 and 38in Fig. 2. The cover plate rests upon the vertical walls 60, i6, 12 and I4 and is preferably shaped to conform approximately to the curvature of the walls 68 and T4. The cover plate keeps the poultry away from the movable parts of the corner unit.

There is a tendency for the chain 46 to ap-' proach and leave the guide wheel 64 at small angles to longitudinal and lateral lines as shown in Fig. 6. The magnitude of these angles cannot be exactly predicted and it is for this reason that the trough sections 80 and 88 are trans versely adjustable within narrow limits-as previously stated.

At the rearward side of each of the corner guide units 34 and 36, a guard is provided for preventing fowls and more particularly small chicks from being carried by the chain into the corner unit. As shown, the guard is an inclined metal plate 100- secured to the cover plate 98. The guard is clearly shown in Fig. 10.

The plate 66 and the several parts carried thereby areVertically adjustable in conformity with the vertical adjustment of the troughs, the trough adjustment having been already described in connection with Fig. 4. A supporting means is provided for the plate 60 which permits the required vertical adjustment. As shown, a framework is provided which includes four vertical angle bars I62, I64, I66 and I08, these angle bars being positioned to engage the corners of the plate 66. The four vertical angle bars prevent horizontal movement of the plate 66 while permitting vertical adjustment thereof.

The angle bars 02 and I04 are connected with a horizontal angle bar I I0 which is adapted to be secured to thefloor. Similarly, the angle bars I06 and I08 are connected to a.horizontal angle bar H2 also adapted to be secured to the floor. Preferably a diagonal brace H4 is connected with the vertical angle bar I62 and with the horizontal angle bar H6. A similar diagonal brace H6 is connected with the vertical angle bar I06 and with the horizontal angle bar I I2. The angle bars I06 and I06 are provided with vertical series of holes H8, H8, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The angle bars I02 and I64 are provided with similar holes. Two horizontal rods I20 and I22 are provided, the rod I20 being adapted to extend through any two aligned holes in the angle bars I 66 and I08 and the rod I22 being adapted to extend-throughany -two-- of the'similar aligned holes in the angle bars I02 and I04. The rods I and I22 are readily removable and it will be seen that by placing the rods in properly selected holes the plate 60 and the parts carried thereby can be supported at any one of several levels. Thus the plate 60 can be vertically adjusted in conformity with the vertical adjustment of the several troughs.

Preferably, the angle bars I02 and I08 are connected by a horizontal brace I24 and the angle bars 104 and I06 are connected by a similar horizontal brace I26. The braces I24 and [26 are connected with the angle bars by means of bolts I28, I28 passin through two of the holes H8 in the angle bars I02 and I08 and passing through two of the holes in the angle bars I04 and I06. If it is necessary to raise the supporting rods I20 and I22 to positions where they would interfere with the braces I24 and I26 positioned as shown, the said braces can be moved to a lower level to avoid the interference.

At locations where the troughs 26 and 28 and the chain 46 extend through the partitions I2, I6 and I8, a suitable guard is preferably provided to prevent fowls and more particularly small chicks from being carried through the partitions by the chain. As to details, the guards may be widely varied, but one suitable construction is shown in Figs. 11 and 12. A plate I30 is secured to the partition, as for instance the par- 1 tition I8, immediately above the trough, as for instance the trough 26. A vertical plate I32 is pivotally connected with the plate I30, the plate I32 extending within the trough. As shown, the plate I32 is pivotally connected with the plate I30 by means of wire rings I34, I34. As has been stated, the trough is verticallyadjustable and the plate 130 is therefore connected with the partition in such a manner that it may be vertically adjusted in conformity with the vertical adjustment of the trough. The plate I30 has a vertical slot I36 therein and a bolt I38 extends through the partition and through the slot. A wing nut I40 on the bolt I38 engages the plate I30 to hold it in any desired position of vertical adjustment.

Drive unit and associated parts The drive unit as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and in Figs. 13 to 18 includes a main framework on which the various operating parts are carried. The framework is generally rectangular and it includes four vertical angle bars I42, I42 at the corners. The upper ends of the vertical angle bars are connected at the sides of the framework by horizontal longitudinal angle bars I44, I44, and they are connected at the ends of the framework by transverse horizontal fiat bars I46, I46. The lower ends of the vertical angle bars are connected at the sides of the framework by horizontal longitudinal flat bars I48, I48 and they are connected at the ends of the framework by transverse horizontal flat bars I50, I50.

Mounted between and connected with the lower portions of the four angle bars I42, I42 is a sheet metal pan I52 having a bottom wall 154, side walls I56, I56 and an end wall I58 at the left. Preferably, the side walls I56, I56 have inturned flanges I60, I60 at the tops thereof as shown in Fig. 14. oppositely disposed vertical angle bars I62, I62 connect the flanges I60, I60 with the longitudinal angle bars I44, I44.

A horizontal driving drum I64 is provided at the right end of the framework, this drum being mounted on a horizontal shaft I66 rotatable in bearing brackets carried by the corresponding vertical angle bars I42, I42. The drum I64 is driven by a power unit mounted on the top of the framework, this power unit comprising a motor I68 and a speed reducing gear mechanism I10 provided with a sprocket wheel I12. A chain I14 passes around the sprocket wheel I12 and also around a sprocket wheel I16 on the shaft I66 which carries a drum I64. By means of the mechanism described, the drum I64 is rotated in the clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow.

The chain 46 extends from the corner guide unit 38-around the drum I64 and is looped backwardly about a horizontal idler drum I18 partly within the pan I52. From the bottom of the idler drum I18 the chain extends forwardly toward the right. The idler drum I18 is mounted on a horizontal shaft I which projects outwardly through longitudinal slots I82 in the side walls I56 of the pan. The shaft I80 is mounted at its ends in bearing blocks I84, I84 which are longitudinally movable in guideways formed by angle bars I86 secured to the side walls I56, I56. Each bearing block I84 is connected with a horizontal non-rotatable screw I88 which extends through a stationary bracket I90 as shown in Fig. 3. Each screw carries a nut I92. By turning the nuts I92 on the screws I88 the bearing blocks can be moved in their guideways so as to move the drum I18 toward the left, thus tightening the chain 46 and taking up any slack therein.

In order to more definitely assure the driving of the chain by the driving drum I64, a pressure wheel I94 is provided immediately below the drum 164, this pressure wheel being in position to engage the chain 46. The pressure wheel I94 is carried by a shaft I86 mounted in bearing brackets I98. The bearing brackets I98 are vertically adjustable along the corresponding angle bars I42 and they may be moved upward by means of screws 200. By turning the screws 200 the bearing brackets may be moved upwardly to force the pressure wheel I94 into engagement with the chain. Thus the chain is pinched to a slight extent between the drum I64 and the pressure wheel I94 and this prevents any slippage of the driving drum with respect to the chain.

For guiding the chain from the corner unit 36 to the driving drum I64 there are provided two special trough sections 202 and 204 which are inclined upwardly toward the right, as shown in Figs. 3 and 13. In order to change the direction of chain movement at the entrance to the trough section 202, the corner unit 36 is provided with two small guide wheels 206, 206 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The wheels 206, 206 are positioned to engage the chain 46 near the edges thereof, and the said wheels are carried by the vertical walls 68 and 12 of the corner unit. The wheels 206, 206 hold the chain in horizontal position until it reaches or nearly reaches the inclined trough section 202.

The trough section 202 has diverging flanges 208, 208 similar to the flanges on the trough section 88 but so releated to the trough section as to permit the trough section to be inclined as shown. At its upper right end the trough section 202 enters and is supported by the trough section 204. The trough section 204 has a'hinged connection at 210 with a transverse bar 2I2 secured to the vertical angle bars I62, I62. The transverse bar 2I2 is vertically adjustable being held by bolts 2I4, 214 passing through vertical slots 2I6, 216 in the angle bars I62, I62. The

trough section 204 is supported at its left end by means of-a'cross -rod- 2I'8 which extends through vertical 'slots 220 in the vertical angle bars I42 at the-le'ft. By means of'wing nuts on the-cross rod 2 I8 the said cross rod may be secured in p'lace-atany elevation so as to change the angle of inclination of the trough section'204.

The primary reason'for'the adjustable mounting of the trough section 204 is to enable the-two trough sections 202 and 204 to support the chain in asubstantially straight line which is tangent to the driving'drum I64. For diiferent installations there "may be difierent distances between the corner guide unit 36 and the drive unit 40. -With the trough section 204 adjustable as described,

the-trough sections-202 and 204 may be kept in a straight line tangent to the drum, notwithstanding variations in the distance between the corner unit 35 and thedrive unit 40.

It has been stated that the chain passes toward the right from the bottom of the idler drum I18. In so moving the chain is supported by the bottom wall I54 of the pan and by a trough section 222. The lower portion of the pan is partly closed at the right by two plates 224, 224 having inclined flanges 226, 226. The sidewalls of the trough section 222 are bent to form flanges 228, 228 which are adjacent the before-mentioned flanges 226, 225. The chain passes from the bottom of the pan onto the bottom of the trough section 222.

When the chain 46 returns to the drive mechanism after passing through the several pens, it still carries a limited amount of residual 'feed more particularly in the interstices thereof. Under some circumstances it is desirable toretain the residual feed in the system so that it can be again moved into and through the several troughs, and under other circumstances it is desirable to remove the residual feed so that it cannot be recirculated. It'will be seen that the chain 46 moves through the drive unit along two superposed paths, the upper path extending 'diagonally upwardly toward the top of the drum I64 and the lower path extending horizontally toward the right fromthe bottom of the drum I78. These superposed paths are utilized for handling the residual feed.

.The trough sections 292 and 204 together with the corner unit 36 constitute means extending from the 'forward'end of the trough 28 to the upper of the said superposed paths for supporting the chain and for supporting feed moved thereby. The bottom wall of the trough section 204 has an opening 229 providin a terminal edge 236 beyond which :the feed is no longer supported. At or immediately beyond the said terminal edge 23 0 the feed-moves downwardly by gravity. The

'feed falls onto the section of chain between the drum I64 and the drum I78 and most'of the feed which falls onto the last said portion of the chain will pass through the 'said'portion of the chain and onto the portion of the chain in the lower of the said superposed paths at the right of the drum I78. Some of the feed may be carried toward the left over the drum I13 and into the left portion of the pan I52. The feed may accumulate in the said left portion of the pan, but after a limited amount of accumulation the feed will be caught by the chain and moved thereby toward the right along be lower of the said superposed paths. The space in the pan at the left of the idlerdrum I13 is relatively large so as to permit the drum to be moved toward the left as necessary for maintaining proper tension in the chain.

Preferably :av chain Jactuated vibrator engages the'chain adjacentthe terminal edge 230 to facilitate -the separation of the feed from the chain. As-shown, the vibrator is .a relatively largehorizontal tube 232 located in thetrough section' 204 above the opening therein, this tube being held in place by a transverse rod 234 carried by the side walls of the trough section .204. The tube 232 engages the chain and :by .a combined rolling and vibratory motion serves. to assist in the. :clischarge of the feed from thechain.

When the'chainhas passed through the troughs in the several pens it willhave accumulatedzia certain amount of debris,-such as featherssand droppings. Provision is made for eliminatin ;at least the major portion of the debris sozthatfit will not be recirculated. The larger pieces of debris lie on top of the chain and will not pass with the feed through the interstices-thereof immediatcly beyond the terminal edge 230. These larger pieces of debris are carried over the drive drum I64 and'when the chain is at least partly inverted the said pieces arcdischarged'bygravity. A suitable means is provided 'for preventing the debris from falling into the trough section 222.

As ShOWIlfthe said larger pieces of debris are deposited "in a" catch pan such as that shown at 235.

Smaller pieces of'debris will fall-with the feed through "the interstices of the chain and'provision ismade for separating such debris from 'thefeed. For this'pllrpo'se'a'defiector device is provided which includes aninclined plate 236; the deflector device being. supported at its upper'endby'hooks 1 238 ,"238. i'Th 'pl'ate 236 has narrowslots which are vertically :below the opening in the trough section .204 and which extend longitudinallypf themplate. Preferably the plate has'an. opening 246, .and spaced longitudinal wires242'xextend across the opening, being secured to the plate.

The said .narrow slots are between the said'w'ires. The Wires 242 serve to catch most'of the debris which then .s'lides downwardly along the .plate 236. to theside of the machine. The debris'may fall ontothe floor, or a receptacle, not shown, may be providedfor receiving it. The feedwill pass through the slots between the wires 242 and onto the portion of the chain in the lower of the saidlsuperposed paths as already described.

Under other conditions it is desirable to entirely remove the residual feed from the chainatlthe drive unit so as to prevent recirculation thereof. This. maybe desirable, .for instance, when ther'e is to be a change in the type of feed to be supplied. When the feed is to be entirely removed, a supplemental. plate 244 is put in place on the plate 236..to .cover the opening 249, as s'howninFigslf? and 18. Ihe plate .244 is provided-Withihooks. 24.6, 246 vwhich extend between the wires 242, 242-.and intoengagement with the plate 235 at the bottom of the opening .240. The said hooks hold the plate 244 in place as shown. When the plate 244 is used, both the debris and the feed are caught by the plate 235 and are discharged at the side of the machine onto the floor or into asuitable receptacle.

When the several troughs and the several corner units are vertically adjusted as previously described, the drive mechanism and associated parts- 'must be correspondingly adjusted-vertically. .In

order that this may be done the drivemechanism is vertically adjustably connected with .a base frame which is supported on the floor. Theba'se frameis rectangular and it comprises two longi-. tudinal anglexbars 248, 248 and two transverse angle bars 258, 258. Secured to the base frame are four uprights 252, 252 and 254, 254. These uprights may be variously positioned, but as shown the uprights 252, 252 are at the sides of the framework near the right end thereof and the uprights 254, 254 are at the left end of the framework. As shown, each upright comprises a channel-shaped member. Secured to the main framework are brackets 256, 256 and 258, 258 which are positioned to embrace and fit the respective uprights. Screws 268, 268 extend through threaded apertures in the several brackets, these screws being engageable with the several uprights. When the driving unit is to be vertically adjusted, the several screws 268, 288 are loosened and the drive unit is raised or lowered so as to be at the proper elevation. Then the screws 268, 288 are tightened to hold the driving unit in its adjusted position.

Feed supplying unit The feed supplying unit 42 .is shown in detail in Figs. 19 to 23. A generally rectangular hopper 262 is provided, the hopper having inclined bottom walls 264 which terminate in a trough portion 266 through which the chain 46 passes. The width of the trough portion is approximately the same as the width of the several troughs, the width thus being such that it approximately fits the chain. The before-mentioned trough section 222 extends into and fits the trough portion 266 of the hopper, as clearly shown in Figs. 19 to 22. A trough section 268 extends between the opposite end of the trough portion 266 of the hopper and the corner unit 38, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Preferably, the hopper is provided with a transverse partition 218 which may be removable. When the partition 218 is removable, the side walls of the hopper carry vertical channel members 212, 212 for receiving the partition and for holding it in place. The partition can be removed by moving it vertically upward. The partition when in place provides a forward feed chamber 214 and a separate rearward feed chamber 218. When the hopper is provided with the partition 218 and with the chambers 214 and 216 it is adapted for supplying either or both of two dififerent kinds of feed to the chain 48. For instance, feed in mash form may be placed in the forward chamber 214 and feed such as whole grain or pellets may be placed in the rearward chamber 216.

The chamber 214 may be closed or partly closed at the bottom by a horizontally movable slide gate 218 which is movable through a slot at the top of the trough portion 266 of the holder. The gate 218 has openings 219, 219 for receiving the fingers of the attendant to facilitate gate movement. The slide gate 218 is supported on bars 288, 288 carried by the said trough portion. When no mash is to be supplied, the slide gate 218 is moved toward the right from the position shown in Figs. 21 and 22 so as to entirely close the bottom of the chamber 214. When the slide gate is in the withdrawn position shown, the mash can pass downwardly from the chamber 214 and onto the chain 46.

The chamber 216 may be partly closed at the bottom by a horizontally movable slide gate 282 which is also movable through a slot at the top of the trough portion 266 of the hopper. erably a single continuous slot is provided for the two slide gates 218 and 282. The slide gate 282 is supported on a bar 284 similar to the bars 288, 288 and carried by the said trough portion 258. The gate 282 has an opening 283 for receiv- Pref - hopper.

12 mg the fingers of the attendant to facilitate gate movement. The slide gate 282 is normally in position below the chamber 216 and it has a notch 286 through which pellets can pass downwardly by gravity.

The partition 218 carries a gate 288 which is vertically movable in guides 298, 298. Connected with the gate 288 is a vertical rod 292 which extends through a guide ring 294 secured to the partition 218. Secured to the rod 292 at the upper end thereof is a handle 296. By means of the handle 286 the gate 288 may be raised or lowered. Carried by the rod 292 is a washer 298 which engages the ring 294 to limit downward movement of the rod 292 and of the gate 288. When the rod 292 and the gate 288 are raised. the handle 296 may be moved to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 19 so as to engage the top of the partition, the gate being thus held in its upper position.

At the right end of the hopper, as viewed in Fig. 19, is a gate 388 which is vertically movable in guides 382, 382 carried by the right wall of the hopper. The gate 388 has a vertical slot therein through which a bolt extends. wing nut 384 on the bolt the gate 388 may be clamped. in adjusted position.

When only mash is to be fed, the gate 288 is raised to its uppermost position. A thick layer of mash is supplied to the moving chain 46, but the gate 388 is adjusted to such a position as to determine the thickness of the layer of mash to be discharged from. the hopper below the gate. When mash is being fed as described, it is immaterial whether there are or are not any pellets in the chamber 216. If there are Pellets in the said chamber, the thick layer of mash below the slide 282 prevents any pellets from moving through the notch 288.

When only pellets are to be supplied, no mash is placed in the chamber 214 or alternatively the slide gate 218 is moved inwardly to entirely close the bottom of the chamber 214. Pellets are their supplied to the chain through the notch 286 in the slide gate 282 and the gate 388 is adjusted to determine the thickness of the layer of pellets to be discharged.

It is sometimes desirable to supply both mash and pellets. In such event, the gate 288 is moved to or near its lowermost position so as to permit the supplying to the chain of at least enough mash to fill the interstices thereof. The gate288 may be substantially in contact with the chain or it may be slightly above it, to permit the supply of a very thin layer of mash above the chain. Pellets are supplied as above-described through the notch 288 and the gate 388 is adjusted to determine the thickness of the layer of pellets on top of the layer of mash.

Under some conditions of operation no feed in pellet form is to be supplied and it is desirable to provide a larger hopper capacity for mash. Under these circumstances the partition 218 is removed and the slide gates 218 and 282 may be replaced by a single longer slide gate 386, as shown in Fig. 23.

It is sometimes necessary or desirable to remove all of the feed from the troughs and from the chain without removing the feed from the 216, the slides 218 and 282 are removed and replaced by the slide 386 which is moved inwardly By means of a.

In such event, if there are no pellets in the chamber 218, the slide 218 is moved in- .trough 28.

to entirely close the bottoms of both chambers.

An agitator is provided in the mash chamber 214 and this agitator includes a longitudinal shaft '308-mounted in bearings 3m and 352 on the end walls of the hopper. For rotating the shaft 338 a worm wheel 3I4 is secured thereto, this worm wheel meshing with a worm 316 on a transverse shaft 3 [8. A sprocket wheel 326 is secured to the shaft 318. A chain 322 passes around the sprocket wheel 320 and also around a sprocket wheel 324 on the shaft I66 which drives the drum 64. By means of the mechanism described, the shaft 308 is slowly rotated.

-Secured to the shaft 308 within the chamber 214 are two discs 326 and 328. Longitudinal wires 330, 330, preferably under tension, extend longitudinally between the discs 326 and 328 near the peripheries thereof. The number of wires 338, 330 may be varied, but it has been found from experience that only two wires are sufiicient and ordinarily preferable. The rotating wires 33!), 330

out through the mash in the chamber 214, the wires serving to agitate the mash and to prevent any bridging thereof. As the result of agitation of the mash by the wires 333, 330, it flows freely downward into the trough section 253 of the hopper.

When the several troughs and the several corner-units and the drive unit are vertically adjusted, as previously described, the hopper unit must be correspondingly adjusted vertically. In order that this may be done the hopper unit is vertically adjustably connected with a base frame which is supported on the floor. The base frame is rectangular and it comprises two longitudinal angle bars 332, 332 and two transverse angle bars 334, 334. Secured to the base frame are four uprights 336, 338 and 338, 338. The uprights 336, 333 are closely adjacent the right wall of the hopper, as shown in Fig. 19, and the uprights 338, 338 are closely adjacent the left wall of the hopper. Secured to the last said hopper walls are brackets 340, 348 and 342, 342 which are positioned to embrace and fit the respective uprights. Screws 344, 344 extend through threaded apertures in the several brackets, these screws being engageable with the several uprights. When the hopper unit is to be vertically adjusted, the several screws 344, 344 are loosened and the hopper unit is raised or lowered so as to be at the proper elevation. Then the screws 344, 344 are tightened to hold the hopper unit in its adjusted position.

'Summary of operation -By means of the drive unit 49 the chain is moved in a generally counter-clockwise direction through and along the troughs 26, 39 and 2B and through the several corner units and through the :feed supplying unit 42. By means of the said unit 42 feed of a selected type or of selected types is supplied to the chain, the feed entering-the interstices of the chain and, if desired or necessary, also lying in a layer on top of the chain. The chain carries the feed to the three feeding troughs 26, 33 and 28 in the several pens such'as the pens 28, 22 and 24.

The timing of the apparatus may be varied, but advantageously the chain 46 is moved rela-- tively rapidly and to an extent sufficient to move feed laden ortions thereof from the feed supplying unit 42 to the forward end of the The chain movement is then stopped and the feed in the several troughs is available to the poultry for whatever feeding period may be determined upon. After'a suitable relatively long period of feeding time the chain is again moved to "the sameextent to again provide a new isupply 'of feed in the troughs in theseveralpens. I

The successive relatively rapid movements of thecha'in to the extent stated with relatively long intervening feeding periods make-substantially the same amounts of feedavailable in all of the pens for each "of the successive periods. If the chain were to be moved slowly, substantial 'amountsof feed-"would be consumed by the poultry in-the first pens with the result that lesser amounts would be available to the poultry in the other pens.

The successive portions of the chain returning to the driveunit-40 during each chain movement carryasome residual feed. The residual feed consists in part of feed-that was *within the troughs and not consumed and it consists in part of feed that was' within the corner=units and not accessible-to the :poultry. The successive portions of the chain returning to'th'e drive unit also carry -debr'is,-:such as ifeathers and droppings.

As the chain passes through the drive unit the larger pieces of debris are discharged into *the catch pan 235. If there is to be no change in the type of feed forthe next cycle the plate 244 is not usedand the deflector device on the drive unit serves to remove the smaller pieces of debris as previously described. The residual feed passes between the defiectorwires '242 and is returned to the chain. The chain carries the residual feed through the feed supplying unit where additional feed-is supplied to the required extent.

If there is to be a'change in the type of feed the plate 244 is put in place and the deflector device serves to remove both the smaller pieces of debris and the residual .feed, as previously described.

For operating the chain in the manner described the motor I68 may be started and stopped by a manually'operable'switch. Preferably, however, a conventional automatic clockcontrolled switch is ,provided which causes the'operation of the motor to the required extents at-proper'intervals.

-A flat wide articulated-belt or chain/such as shown and described, has numerous advantages over other chains which have heretofore been used in poultry feeding apparatus. Oneof the more important advantages is that the wide articulated chain fully engages-with the entire layer of feed and maintains the said layerintact throughout the entire path of movement thereof. In some prior feeders, relatively nar row chains have beenused which only partly covered the bottoms of the troughs, there .being much lost motion of the chain. In such feeders the feed movement lags very substantially with respect to the chain movement and it is'sometimes necessary to operate the chain continuously in order to provide enough feed for the poultry in the more remote pens. Under these conditions, there is an excess of feed in the troughs in the nearer pens and insuifici'ent feed in the troughs in the more remote pens.

In some other prior feeders, chains have been provided having wings or blades thereon for engaging the feed-to move it. In suchfeeders, the birds must reach between the blades in order :to feed, and this is highly objectionable, particularly when the blades are moving. "the beaks 0f the birds e agethe blades and "become oversensitive, this causing a serious lessening of feed intake. With a chain such as herein shown and described, a broad flat unobstructed layer of feed is available to the birds and there is nothing that projects above the feed layer to interfere with feeding. The timing of the successive chain movements may be so controlled that the birds consume only the feed which lies in a layer above the top of the chain. Alternatively, however, the timing of the chain movements may be such that the birds also consume the major portion of the feed within the interstices of the chain. Under the last stated conditions, the beaks of the birds may sometimes engage the relatively small wires of the chain, but this is unobjectionable.

The flat wide articulated belt or chain is particularly advantageous in connection with a feed supply unit such as shown and described. A chain of this type makes it possible to accurately determine and control the: amount of feed to be supplied, and also makes it possible to supply two different types of feed simultaneously, the proportions of the feed of the two types being closely controlled.

Furthermore, with chains of the types heretofore used, the feed instead of being moved in an intact layer is subjected to a dragging or rolling action which results in the grinding of the feed between the chain and the trough. This pulverizes the feed and reduces it to a powder form which is unacceptable to the birds, much of the feed being thus wasted.

A chain such as used in the present feeder not only has the above-stated advantages, but in addition it is freely flexible both horizontall and vertically. It can be flexed horizontally to pass around the guide wheels of the corner units while remaining in engagement with the broad flat layer of feed, and it can be flexed vertically for engagement with the driving drum and with the idler drum.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending feeding trough, an endless cpenwork chain movable through the trough and guided for movement along an elevated path beyond the forward end of the trough, means extending from the forward end of the trough and located immediately below the portion of the chain in the said elevated path for supporting feed being moved by the chain along the last said path, the said feed supporting means having a terminal edge so that feed moved by the chain is disengaged therefrom by gravity at or beyond the said edge, means for supplying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said trough.

2. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of an endless openwork chain guided for movement along a horizontal path and along two superposed paths, means for driving the chain to move it along the said horizontal path and along the two superposed paths, means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain, a feeding trough at a portion of the said horizontal chain path for supporting the chain and for supporting feed moved thereby, means at the lower of the two superposed chain paths for supporting the chain and for supporting feed moved thereby, and supporting means extending from the forward end of the trough to the upper of the two superposed chain paths for supporting th chain and for supporting feed moved thereby, the last 16 said supporting means having a terminal edge above the first said supporting means so that feed moved by the chain is disengaged therefrom at or beyond the said edge and falls onto the first said supporting means and is there again engaged by the chain.

3. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending feeding trough, an endless openwork chain movable through the trough and guided for movement along two superposed paths beyond the forward end of the trough, means extending from the forward end of the trough and located immediately below the portion of the chain in the upper of said superposed paths which means serves to support feed moved by the chain along the last said path, the said feed supporting means having a terminal edge so that feed moved by the chain is disengaged therefrom by gravity at or beyond the said edge, deflecting means interposed be tween the said superposed paths and beneath the said. terminal edge for laterally deflecting feed moving downward from the said edge, means for supplying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said trough.

4. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending feeding trough, an endless openwork chain extending through the trough and guided to a partly in,-

verted position beyond the forward end of the trough to permit debris to fall therefrom, means for applying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved-by the chain along the said trough.

5. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending feeding trough, an endless openwork chain movable through the trough and guided for movement along an elevated path beyond the forward end of the trough and further guided for movement to a partly inverted position beyond the said elevated path to permit debris to fall therefrom, means extending from the forward end of the trough and located immediately below the portion of the chain in the said elevated path for supporting feed being moved by the chain along the last said path, the said feed supporting means having a terminal edge so that feed moved by the chain is disengaged therefrom by gravity at or beyond the said edge, means for supplying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplyingfeed to be moved by the chain along the said trough.

6. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending feeding trough, an endless openwork chain movable through the trough and along two superposed paths beyond the forward end of the trough, the chain being partly inverted in moving from the upper of the said paths to the lower of the said paths to permit debris to fall therefrom, means extending from the forward end of the trough and located immediately below the portion of the chain in the upper of the said superposed paths which means serves to support feed being moved by the chain along the last said path, the said feed supporting means having a terminal edge so that feed moved by the chain is disen gaged therefrom by gravity at or beyond the said edge, deflecting means interposed between the said superposed paths and beneath the said terminal edge for laterally deflecting feed moving downward from the said edge, means for supplying power to the chain to drive it in the forward i? direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved byfthe chain along the said trough.

'7. In a'poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending horizontal feeding trough having a flat bottom, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending generally horizontal interlaced Wires which chain is freely flexible and has a width substantially greater than its thickness and which chain has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain having a portion extending through and supported by the trough, means including chain guiding units adiacen-t the ends of the trough for flexing the chain and for guiding it from the forward end of the trough to the rearward end thereof, means for applying power to the chain .to :drive it the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to bemoved by the chain along the said trough.

8. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending horizontal feeding trough having a flat bottom, two rotatable horizontal chain engaging drums at different levels, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending generally horizontal interlaced wires which chain is freely flexible and has a width'substantially greater than its thickness and which chain has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, thesaid chain having a portion extending through and supported by the trough and the said chain having other portions extending partly around the respective chain engaging drums, means including chain guiding units adjacent the ends of the trough for flexing the chain and for guiding it from the forward end of the trough to the said drums and thence to the rearward end of the trough, means for applying power to rotate one of the said drums and to thereby drive the chain in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said trough.

9. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending horizontal feeding trough having a flat bottom, two rotatable horizontal chain engaging drums at different levels, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending generally horizontal interlaced wires which chain is freely flexible and has a width substantially greater than its thickness and which chain has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain having a portion extending through and supported by the trough andthe said chain having other portions extending partly around the respective chain engaging drums, means including chain guiding units adjacent the ends of the trough for flexing the chain and for guiding it from the forward end of the trough to the said drums and thence to the rearward end of the trough, means for applying power to rotate one of the said drums and to thereby drive the chain in the forward direction, means for moving the other of the drums longitudinally of the chain to'take up chain slack, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said trough.

10. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending horizontal feeding trough having a flatbo'ttom, two rotatable horizontal chain engaging drums'beyond the forward end of the trough and at diiferent levels, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending generally horizontal interlaced wires which chain is freely flexible and has a width substantially greater than its thickness and whichchainhas interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain having a portion extending through and supported by the trough and the said chain having other portions extending partly around the respective-upper and lower-chain engaging drums and positioned in superposed paths adjacent the :drums, means including chain guiding units adjacent the ends of the trough for flexing the chain and for guiding it from the forward end of the trough to the said drums and thence to the rearward end of the trough, means extending from the forward end "of the trough and locatdifiimediately below the portion of the chain in the upper of the said superposed paths which means serves to support feed being moved by the chain along the last said path, the said feedsupporting means having a terminal edge above the lower of the said superposed paths so that feed moved by the chain is disengaged therefrom by gravity at or beyond the said edge and falls onto the chain in the said lower of the superposed paths, means for applying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said trough.

11. Aj'poultry feeding apparatus as set forth in claim 10, having a chain actuated'vib'ratonengaging the chain adjacent the said terminal edge of the feed guiding means.

12. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combi nation of a longitudinally extending horizontal feeding trough having a fiat bottom, two rotat- 'a'ble'hor'izontal chain engaging drums beyond the forward end of the trough and at different levels; an endless openwork articulated chain comprising "transversely extending generally horizontal interlaced wires which chain is freely flexible and has a width substantially greater than its thickness and which chain has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain having a portion extending through and supported by the trough and the said chain having other portions extending partlyaround the respective upper and lower chain engaging'drums and positioned in superposed paths adjacent the drums, means including chain guiding units adja'c'ent the ends of the *trough'for flexing the chain and for guiding it from the forward end of the trough to the said drums and thence to the rearward end'of the trough, means extending from the forward end of the trough and located immediately'below the portion of thechain in the upper of the said superposed paths which means serves to support feed'being moved by the chain along the last said path, the said feed sup portin'g means having a terminal edge above the lower of the said superposed paths so that feed moved by the chain is disengaged therefrom by gravity at or beyond the said edge, deflecting means interposed between the superposed paths and beneath the said terminal edge for laterally deflecting feed moving downward from the said edge, means for applying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the .said trough.

13. Ina poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending horizontal feeding trough having a flat bottom, two rotatable horizontal chain engaging drums beyond the forward end of the trough and at different levels, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending generally thor'i zontal interlaced wires which chain is freely flexible and has a width substantially greater than its thickness and which chain has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain having a portion extending through and supported by the trough and having other portions extending partly around the respective upper and lower drums and positioned in superposed paths adjacent the said drums and a portion of the said chain being partly inverted as it passes partly around the upper drum, means including chain guiding units adjacent the ends of the trough for flexing the chain and for guiding it from the forward end of the trough to the said drums and thence to the rearward end of the trough, means extending from the forward end of the trough and located immediately below the portion of the chain in the upper of the said superposed paths which means serves to support feed being moved by the chain along the last said path, the said feed supporting means having a terminal edge above the lower of the said superposed paths so that feed moved by the chain is disengaged therefrom by gravity at or beyond the said edge, means adjacent the said upper drum for receiving pieces of debris which are too large to pass through the chain and which are discharged from the partly inverted portion of the chain, means for applying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said trough.

14. A poultry feeding apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein a laterally inclined deflector is interposed between the said superposed paths and beneath the said terminal edge, the said deflector having narrow slots for the downward movement of feed therethrough onto the chain in the lower of the superposed paths and the said deflector serving to laterally deflect pieces of debris which pass through the chain but which are too large to pass through the slots.

15. A poultry feeding apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein there is an optionally useable plate for covering the slots in the deflector, the said plate and the said deflector cooperating to laterally deflect both feed and pieces of debris which fall from the chain at or beyond the said terminal edge of the feed supporting means.

16. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of two longitudinally extending and laterally spaced horizontal feeding troughs having flat bottoms, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending gen- 'erally horizontal interlaced wires which chain has a width substantially greater than its thickness and has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain being freely flexible edgewise and having portions extending through and supported by the troughs, means adjacent the ends of the troughs for flexing the chain edgewise while maintaining it transversely horizontal and for guiding the transversely horizontal chain in lateral paths from the forward end of each trough to the rearward end of each other trough, means below one lateral path of movement of the chain for retaining feed in engagement therewith from one trough to the other, means for applying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said troughs and along the last said lateral path.

17. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of two parallel longitudinally extending and laterally spaced horizontal feeding troughs having flat bottom, a third similar feeding trough extending laterally between the forward end of one longitudinal trough and the rearward end of the other longitudinal trough, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending generally horizontal interengaging wires which chain has a width substantially greater than its thickness and has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain being freely flexible edgewise and having portions extending through and supported by the troughs, means for flexing the chain edgewise while maintaining it transversely horizontal and for guiding the transversely horizontal chain from the forward end of one longitudinal trough to the rearward end of the lateral trough and from the forward end of the lateral trough to the rearward end of the other longitudinal trough, other means for flexing the chain edgewise while maintaining it transversely horizontal and for guiding the transversely horizontal chain from the forward end of the last said longitudinal trough to the rearward end of the other longitudinal trough, means for applying power to the chain, to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said troughs.

l8. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of two parallel longitudinally extending and laterally spaced horizontal feeding troughs having fiat bottoms, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending generally horizontal interengaging wires which chain has a width substantially greater than its thickness and has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain being freely flexible edgewise and having portions extending through and supported by the troughs, means for flexing the chain edgewise while maintaining it transversely horizontal and for guiding the transversely horizontal chain in a lateral path from the forward end of one longitudinal trough to the rearward end of the other longitudinal trough, means below the said lateral path of movement of the chain for retaining feed in engagement therewith, other means for flexing the chain edgewise while maintaining it transversely horizontal and for guiding the transversely horizontal chain in a second lateral path from the forward end of the last said longitudinal trough to the rearward end of the other longitudinal trough, means for applying power to the chain in the second said lateral path to drive the said chain in the forward direction, and means adjacent the second said lateral path for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said troughs.

19. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the corn, bination of two longitudinally extending and laterally spaced horizontal feeding troughs having flat bottoms, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending generally horizontal interlaced wires which chain has a Width substantially greater than its thickness and has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain being freely flexible edgewise and having portions extending through and supported by the troughs, means including corner units adjacent the ends of the troughs for flexing the chain edgewise while maintaining it transversely horizonal and for guiding the transversely horizontal chain in lateral paths from the forward end of each trough to the rearward end of each other trough, each corner unit comprising a guide wheel rotatable 21 about a vertical axis and engaging one edge of the chain, means for applying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and means for supplying feed to be moved by the chain along the said troughs and along the last said lateral path.

20. A poultry feeding apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein each corner unit includes a horizontal plate adjacent the wheel and below the chain for preventing the chain from tilting downwardly below a transversely horizontal position, and wherein each corner unit also includes at least one auxiliary guide wheel engaging the upper face of the chain for preventing the chain from tilting upwardly above a transversely horizontal position.

21. A poultry feeding apparatus as set forth in claim 19. wherein each corner unit includes a main horizontal supporting plate on which the rotatable guide wheel is mounted, and wherein each corner unit includes vertical plates adjacent the edges of the chain and cooperating with the guide wheel to retain feed in engagement with the chain.

22. A poultry feeding apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein each corner unit also includes a cover plate engaging the top edges of the said vertical plates and serving to prevent poultry from having access to the moving parts of the corner unit.

23. In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending horizontal feeding trough having a flat bottom, a feed hopper having separate forward and rearward feed containing chambers and including a lower channel for receiving feed from the said chambers, the said hopper channel having a fiat bottom and having the same width as the said trough, an endless openwork articulated chain comprising transversely extending generally horizontal interlaced wires which chain has a width substantially greater than its thickness and has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain being freely flexible and having portions extending through and supported by the trough and the hopper channel, means for flexing the chain and for guiding it from the forward end of the trough to the rearward end of the hopper channel and from the forward end of the hopper channel to the rearward end of the trough, means for applying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, a gate at the forward side of the rearward hopper chamher and within the hopper channel for limiting 22 the depth of the layer of feed supplied to the moving chain from said rearward chamber, and a second gate at the forward side of the forward hopper chamber and within the hopper channel for limiting the depth of additional feed supplied from the rearward chamber and superposed on the layer of feed from the forward chamber.

24.'In a poultry feeding apparatus, the combination of a longitudinally extending horizontal feeding trough having a flat bottom, a feed hopper including a lower channel for receiving feed from the said chambers, the said hopper channel having a fiat bottom and having the same width as the said trough, an endless openwork articulated 7 chain comprising transversely extending generally horizontal interlaced wires which chain has a'width substantially greater than its thickness and has interstices between the wires for receiving and moving feed, the said chain being freely flexible and having portions extending through and supported by the trough and the hopperchannel, means for flexing the chain and for guiding it from the forward end of the trough to the rearward end of the hopper channel and from the forward end of the hopper channel to the rearward end of the trough, means for applying power to the chain to drive it in the forward direction, and a feed agitator in the hopper comprising a rotatable longitudinal shaft, two longitudinally spaced discs on the shaft, and a plurality of longitudinal wires connected with the discs'near the peripheries thereof.

. PHILIP B. ROBERTS. THOMAS B. BUTTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 756,600 Dodge Apr. 5, 1904 1,427,553 Schwinger Aug. 29, 1922 1,805,430 Rowe May 12, 1931 1,977.51? Holbeck Oct. 16, 1934 2,155,874 Sinden Apr. 25, 1939 2,513,706 Baehr July 4, 1950 2,522,449 Inman Sept. 12, 1950 OTHER REFERENCES Sprague et a1. Progress Report No. 2, Sept. 1948, Automatic Poultry Feeder Plan, Pennsylvania State College School of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station, State College, Pennsylvania. 

